# NTSB ANC06CA013: Piper PA-18, N237WT, Skwentna, AK, December 21, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 21, 2005, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.033332, -151.784439
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0333&lon=-151.7844&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA013

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in an on ground collision with trees during the landing roll.  Factors associated with the accident were the icy and snow-covered terrain.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The solo private pilot was landing a ski-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered lake that was surrounded by trees.  The pilot said that after touchdown, the airplane continued to slide on the icy, hard-packed snow, and subsequently collided with a stand of trees at the lake's edge.  The airplane sustained structural damage to both wings.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The solo private pilot was landing a ski-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered lake that was surrounded by trees.  The pilot said that after touchdown, the airplane continued to slide on the icy, hard-packed snow, and subsequently collided with a stand of trees at the lake's edge.  The airplane sustained structural damage to both wings.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N237WT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N237WT), registered now, S/N 18 237 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-237
- Airframe hours: 5394.7
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott M. Gage
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005
- Departed: Skwentna, AK
- Destination: Skwentna, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 450 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast

## Other investigations on N237WT (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC07LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA015), Jan 13, 2007: Piper PA-18 (N237WT), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control on the ground, and the wing impacting the snow-covered terrain. A factor associated with the…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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